Clockwise from top left: Spa in a jar, movie date night in a jar, cookies in a jar, happy hour in a jar, good morning in a jar.

These ideas will help you find a gift for everyone on your list

Oh, those dreaded hard-to-buy-for folks. We all have at least one on our holiday gift lists. Whether they already seem to have everything they want or you just aren't close enough to them to know what to buy, brainstorming gifts for them is like trying to answer an unsolvable holiday riddle. The answer: stress.

If you're tempted to give up and buy a gift card, consider this instead: an experience in a jar.

Start with a large Mason jar. Think about the recipient's hobbies, upcoming plans or lifestyle and pick a theme. Then fill the jar with items (including gift cards, if applicable) to give them everything they need to enjoy an experience that fits with the theme.

Here are some ideas:

Spa in a jar

Go the mani/pedi route with items like nail polish, nail wraps, lotion, nail file and cuticle oil. Or give the gift of relaxation with bath salts, an eye mask, candles and a massage gift certificate.

Golf in a jar

Depending on your budget, include a round of golf, a golf lesson, golf balls, mini pencil and a golf glove.

Happy hour in a jar

Give them everything they need to make a particular drink, including a recipe. Or create a mini bar in a jar with tools and ingredients like a small muddler, peeler, stirrers, handheld recipe book, whiskey stones or bitters.

Workout in a jar

Date night in a jar

Pick a date idea for you and your loved one or a couple you love (some ideas: ice skating, mini-golf, movie, dinner, museum, hiking, skiing) and fill a jar with a gift certificate, related accessories, mints and a candle. If the couple has little ones, include cash for a baby sitter or a coupon offering to watch their kids for free.

Play dough in a jar

Little kids love play dough. Fill a jar with homemade play dough (you probably have all the ingredients in your pantry), cookie cutters, molds, tiny plastic animals, a small rolling pin and stamps.

Baking in a jar

Share your favorite cookie or brownie recipe and make it easy for the recipient to make it at home. Layer all dry ingredients in the jar (separated in plastic bags if necessary). Garnish with additional supplies like cookie cutters, serving spatula or measuring spoons if you'd like.

Road trip in a jar

Know they'll be traveling soon? Create a road trip jar with a gas card, snacks, car games, music playlist, map (just for fun) and a national or state park sticker.

Tailgate in a jar

If Packers or other sports tickets are on the gift list, add hand warmers, team logo headband, gloves, coozie, bumper sticker and parking pass to make a superfan tailgating jar. Or just make it a superfan jar with various items supporting the recipient's favorite team.

Good morning in a jar

With homemade pancake mix, local coffee beans and a newspaper subscription (full disclosure: the Journal Sentinel is a newspaper), your loved one is guaranteed a good morning.